Chelsea fans have warned that selling Pedro Neto would be a ‘huge mistake’ after rumours that his future could become uncertain next year.
Neto is a popular figure at Stamford Bridge both on and off the pitch and has started all 13 of Chelsea’s Premier League games so far this season.
Across those 13 matches, Neto has registered four goals and two assists but there are growing calls for Estevao to start on the right wing instead.
Neto will also soon be forced to compete with Geovany Quenda, who will join Chelsea from Sporting CP next summer in a deal worth £44m.
It is understood that one of Europe’s biggest sides attempted to sign Neto in the last transfer window with Chelsea rejecting an approach.
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But with Estevao tipped to become one the world’s best players – and Quenda coming in – could Chelsea be tempted to offload Neto and will the player look to depart for more playing time? Here are three clubs who may be thinking about taking a look at the Portugal international…
Bayern Munich
First of all, it should be noted that Chelsea are not currently open to offers for Neto, who is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2031.
But if the Blues changed their stance, German champions Bayern Munich could potentially be among the clubs interested in the 25-year-old.
While it is not known if Bayern are genuinely keen on the player or not, Chelsea supporters are convinced the Bundesliga side are the unnamed European team who tried to recruit Neto in the last summer window.
‘Pretty sure it was Bayern,’ one Chelsea fan posted on Reddit. ‘They needed a squad winger who could play on either wing to rotate with Olise/Diaz.’
‘Bayern seemed to have inquired about several wingers on the last couple days of the window,’ a second Chelsea supporter added.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United signed Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest in July but he’s so far struggled to live up to expectations on the right wing.
Across 13 Premier League appearances for Eddie Howe’s side, in which Elanga has started five games and been substituted on in eight matches, he has failed to register a single goal and only has one assist to his name.
Perhaps the Magpies could be tempted to take a punt on Neto if Elanga does not work out to be the player Howe had hoped for.
Tottenham
It can be argued that Tottenham could do with a new right winger to challenge Mohammed Kudus – and Neto could fit the bill.
Brennan Johnson’s output has slowed and Dejan Kulusevski has a concerning injury record.
Kulusevski has not played a single game for Spurs this season due to a knee problem and missed seven matches last term due to a foot issue. In the 2022-23 campaign, he was absent for 10 games over a thigh injury.
‘Selling Neto would be a huge mistake’
Meanwhile, Chelsea supporters have urged the west London club to avoid offloading Neto.
‘Selling Neto would be a huge mistake,’ one Chelsea supporter posted on Reddit while another added: ‘He’s a fantastic player to have in the side.’
Reddit user @SaitoGenetic17 opined: ‘There are very few wingers like Neto that are willing to do the pressing and tracking back required in this system.
‘He fills a role similar to the role Luis Diaz played for Liverpool and you can see how they have crumbled without that.’